Former Mount Shasta Lady Bears softball player Kayla Spini: Spini a key part of Lady Knights team

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By Bill Choy

Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

By Bill Choy

Posted May. 10, 2013 at 5:00 PM
Updated May 10, 2013 at 5:08 PM

By Bill Choy

Posted May. 10, 2013 at 5:00 PM
Updated May 10, 2013 at 5:08 PM

REDDING, Calif

REDDING, CALIF. – Kayla Spini is continuing her exceptional play on the softball field on the next level.

Last season, Spini was a senior pitcher for the Mount Shasta Lady Bears and helped the team win a league title as the squad made it all the way to the Northern Section title game in their division.

She also was the all-time winningest pitcher in Northern Section history.

This season, she has excelled both as a pitcher and with her bat with the Shasta College Lady Knights in Redding.

Kayla went 15-5 overall with a 2.61 ERA and 96 strikeouts in the regular season. At the plate, Spini finished with a .352 batting average with 43 hits, 26 RBI's, 24 runs and two home runs.

The Lady Knights went undefeated in the Golden Valley Conference with a 20-0 mark and 36-6 overall.

Shasta won a playoff series in two games this past weekend at home versus Napa Valley.

Today, Shasta is hosting a Super Regional, with the winner moving on to state next week in Bakersfield. Shasta is the No. 2 seed in Northern California.

Today, Shasta faces Fresno College starting at 2 p.m. in Redding. The tournament concludes on Sunday.

Below, Kayla talked about her experiences at Shasta College this year.

What did it mean to you and your team to host a playoff series last weekend and to win both games in front of the home crowd?

The meaning of having a home playoff game was incredible, knowing that we worked that hard to earn one of the top spots in Northern California says a lot. Almost all the girls on the team are from Nor Cal, with only one from out of state. Plus, since the weather was not so great in our conference season our sophomores got to have their "sophomore day."

Starting on Friday the Lady Knights are hosting a Super Regional. What are you and your teammates expectations heading into the regionals? When was the last time Shasta hosted a Super Regional?

Out of the three teams traveling to see us we have played Sacramento City and Sierra. We won both of those games so we know what to expect from those teams. We open up with Fresno City College who we have never played and never seen play. Our team are fighters. We all get along and have fun when we are playing. Sometimes too much fun. We expect it to be tough. There is no easy road ahead of us. All three of the teams, including us, are here for a reason. The last time Shasta College hosted a Super Regionals was in 2005.

What would it mean to you and the Lady Knights program if you were able to move on to the state tournament in Bakersfield?

Page 2 of 3 - It would mean the world to me and the team. It's a big achievement for anyone to be a part of and to be able to experience it as a freshman would be amazing.

What is the biggest difference playing in college compared to high school?

The level of play is a big difference in college. Being a pitcher the hitters are a lot stronger so I have to be smart when making my pitches. Another difference is the competitiveness of the game because you know as an individual that you have to keep working hard to move on to the next level, and by that you have to put in the hours to make yourself better and stronger than you ever have been. By improving it will help you move on to a higher level of college

How has the experience been overall playing at Shasta this season?

The experience of just playing a sport in general in college is one to take in, so to say. Here at Shasta they really take care of the athletes, I'm so happy I made the choice to come here because I've made some memories and been through experiences that I will never forget. It's been a fun and exciting season and I can't wait to see where we end up.

What is it about this team this year that has made them work so well together and perform at such a high level?

Our team is a team that everybody on the outside probably won't understand. We have so many different players that can play multiple positions our coach says it's hard for him to make a decision on who plays where. We also are really good at picking each other up if one of us is down or having a bad day. We know how to create that positive atmosphere around each other to lift us all up.

Heading into the season did you and the squad have any expectations to go undefeated in the Golden Valley Conference this year?

Me being a freshman I was starting new but the sophomores from last year I understand, had a rough year. So our team goal was to win the GVC title from the beginning. None of us knew we would go undefeated but it was sure a great feeling when we did.

Did it help the team's confidence heading into playoffs to have been so dominate in conference play this season?

It definitely helped our confidence level finishing our conference undefeated. But what really helped is playing all the tough teams in the pre-season games because we knew where we stood against tougher opponents. The ones we have beat, and the ones we have lost too.

Page 3 of 3 - What are your plans after this season? Do you plan to play at Shasta one more season?

After the season is over this summer I plan to workout and practice pitching all summer long. Since I have moved down to Redding with my family there is more of an opportunity to be an athlete. I have joined the Crossfit Redding Gym that's almost five minutes from my house, which I will go to about four days a week in the off season.

This, I know, will keep me strong and also on the plus side I am working at Waterman's Batting Cages where I can practice anytime I'm off, whether it's pitching or hitting. Yes, I plan to play at Shasta for another season and hopefully continue this great season and see what we can do next year.

Anything else you would like to add?

I would really like to just thank my family and friends and anyone else who has ever supported me because I wouldn't be anywhere without their help.